The Beacon Newsletter of the United Methodist Church June 2015 PASTOR’S FORUM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.” John 15:1-5 The Message 439 PARK AVENUE AUBURN, MAINE 04210 Telephone: (207) 782-3972 www.auburnmethodist.org Church Secretary, Joan Spitzform Email: [email protected] Sunday Worship 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday School Children and Youth 10:00 a.m. Staff Rev. Jackie Brannen, Pastor [email protected] Norma Rice-Gould, Organist Caroline Coffin, Choir Director William Buzza, Bell Choir Director Claire Cote, Children’s Choir Peter Poliquin, Custodian Edith Ellis, Beacon Editor Cherie Downing, SS Superintendent Mitch Thomas, Music Director, early service Dana Bennett, Nursery Provider Email articles to [email protected] BEACON deadline for submission is the 10th of the month prior to publication date. Next due date is August 10th Dear Friends, Today as I write this, the first of the trees at the parsonage is in bloom. What a marvelous indication that Spring is really here! The beauty and aroma of the blossoms reminds me of how lovely we are when we are joined with our Vine; Jesus Christ. When we are intimately connected to God, it shows in all we say and do. Just as a healthy garden is abundant and fruitful when it is cared for by the gardener so will we be when we are close to our Lord. All of you gardeners have been itching to get out and tend to your plants during the long winter. The spring and summer will find you diligently digging, planting, pruning and eventually harvesting your crops of flowers and vegetables. Every gardener knows that if the gardens are left too long to themselves, they will become overgrown, bug infested, and may even die from the lack of attention. We are like that as well, spiritually, when we forget to stay connected to our God. During the summer months in Maine, most of us try to spend every moment we can out in nature, with family and friends. It is easy to get out of the habit of worshipping and church attendance. We have good intentions of attending to God in our enjoyment of Creation but our intentions are not always fulfilled. This summer if you are going to be away from worship on Sunday mornings, remember to worship God wherever you may be. Sing a favorite hymn, read a favorite bible passage and pray. Worship can be anywhere as long as you intentionally focus on God. But do not forget to join your church family here at AUMC in your weekly worship as well. Bring your summer company and stay connected! It is when we are all worshipping God together that we can smell that sweet aroma of a well tended spiritual garden. I pray that we will all have a “fruitful” summer. I pray that we will experience God’s presence in all of our vacation activities and I remind you to bring back your water offerings for our baptismal font in the fall. Happy Summer! Pastor Jackie 1 Pastor’s Office Hours Pastor Jackie has Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to noon for office hours unless a district meeting is scheduled on one of those particular days. Most visitations occur in the afternoons. If you would like to schedule an appointment please feel free to call her cell 242-2770. The door is open! everlasting; to Him who made the heavens with skill, for His loving kindness is everlasting; to Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His loving kindness is everlasting; to Him who made the great lights, for His loving kindness is everlasting: the sun to rule by day, for His loving kindness is everlasting, the moon and stars to rule by night, for His loving kindness is everlasting ... Psalms 136:1-9. A Few Summer Worship Scripture Verses When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! ... Psa 8:3-9. by Good News Dispatch Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing .. Isaiah 40:26. He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The LORD supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praises to our God on the lyre, who covers the heavens with clouds, who provides rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains ... Psalms 147:4-8. Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate ... Psalms 111:2-4. You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created ... Rev. 4:11. Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He commanded and they were created ... Psalms 148:1-5. How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; ... Psalms 146:5-6.† Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving kindness is everlasting. To Him who alone does great wonders, for His loving kindness is 2 The report called for us to set a goal of involving all of the leadership of our congregations in some form of regular Bible study or a covenant group to help us grow as Disciples of Christ. I’m wondering what has happened in your local church in this area. Are more people involved in some sort of Bible study or spiritual life group now than they were last year at this time? Have you seen results from this? I truly believe that paying attention to our discipleship and spiritual growth both as individuals and as communities will help lead to vital congregations. Scripture Themes September 2015 To Advent ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! September 6, 2015 Psalm 125 James 2:1-17 Is Your Faith Alive? September 13, 2015 Palm 19 James 3:1-12 The Power of the Tongue September 20, 2015 Psalm 1 James 3:13-$:3, 7-8 Submission To God September 27, 2015 Psalm 124 James 5:13-20 Prayers and Forgiveness October 4, 2015 Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Jesus The Incarnation October 11, 2015 Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 The Living Word October 18, 2015 Psalm 104:1-9,24,35 Mark 10:35-45 A Servant Life October 25, 2015 Psalm 34:1-8,19-22 Mark 10:46-52 I Want To See November 1, 2015 Psalm 24 Isaiah 25:6-9 Revelations 21:1-6 A New Day November 8, 2015 Psalm 127 Mark 12:38-44 Humble Pie November 15, 2015 Psalm 19 Hebrews 10:11-25 Confidence In Christ November 22, 2015 Psalm 126 Matthew 6:25-33 Thanks Be To God At least one church has asked each committee or small group to begin their time together with a time of Bible Study, not just an opening prayer. This is being led by either the chair or leader of the group or the various members of the group. This is important because we are all to be growing and maturing disciples of Christ. Please know you don’t need to have all the answers – in fact, you may discover that you will have more questions the deeper you go. You are a pilgrim on the journey along with those who are participating. Be open to what others have to share. The Bible is the “Living Word of God” and to me that means that no matter how many times we study a passage, there may be a new insight or something we hadn’t noticed before. Often that comes from someone else sharing his or her experience. Don’t forget to smile when you shop at Amazon. www.smile.amazon.com † Message from Beverly Do you remember the Strategic Task Force Report presented to Annual Conference last year? Did the Lay Member or Pastor who attended conference come back and report on this? If the Strategic Task Force Report is to be anything other than a report that a very dedicated group of people spent two years working on, then we need to pay attention to what it offered. Whether or not we agree with all of the report there are many very good things in it and today I want to remind us of one of them. Rev. Jackie Brannen at the Auburn church reflected upon the experience of committees and groups in the church using this approach. In their newsletter she wrote, “While this practice has been uncomfortable for many, it has allowed us to dip our toes into the water of the Bible and hearing God’s voice.” What a great image! For those for whom this might be new to this remember that wading or swimming starts with dipping your toe in the water. 3 In their next step, she has invited the church to begin to focus on the Call of Jesus in our lives as seen in the four Gospels. (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:14-20, Luke 5:1-11 and John 1:35-53) This would be a great place for you to start as well. The accounts are different – don’t get hung up on the differences, but appreciate the richness that comes from these differences. Usually, it’s because your mailbox is full. I’m assuming you receive them as soon as that is rectified. Thank you!! P.S. You can also find the most recent and the last issues of the Beacon on our web siteauburnmethodist.org so please check it out. † OR As always, I’d love to hear your experiences with this. Blessings, Beverly Take the Paper Challenge! One of our biggest office expenses is that of paper. Each year, there are 10 issues of the Beacon newsletter to be printed. It is estimated that we use approximately 45 reams of paper (packages of 500) just to print the Beacon. So, we are challenging each church family to donate as many reams of paper as you can to help defray the cost of paper, especially if you prefer a printed copy to the eBeacon. High Street Food Pantry The following items are needed on a weekly basis: peanut butter, toilet paper, and pasta sauce. Please place items in the grocery cart outside the sanctuary. If you have questions about the pantry or wish to volunteer, please speak with Leroy Brown or Eric Howes. Thank you for supporting this mission and helping local people meet their most basic needs. † Typically, reams of 8 ½ x 11 paper cost about $6.00 each. When you are out shopping look for a paper bargain and take the “Paper Challenge” and help us save! Donations may be left in the narthex on the table. Thank you all so much for your help!! † E-beacon Invitation The church spends close to $700.00 per year on mailing the Beacon alone! Plus, the copy of the Beacon that is emailed is in full color! So, give it a try, won’t you? To receive your eBeacon, send an email to [email protected]. If you would like to receive an electronic version of the Beacon and still receive a paper copy please be sure to specify this otherwise you will be removed from the mailing list for the Beacon. Many thanks to those that are already receiving their eBeacon! The group is growing. Soup Labels Box Tops Thank you to all those who have been so faithful in saving Campbell Soup labels and Box Tops for Education. Beginning in April, Terri Blasi will be coordinating the Campbell's Labels and Box Tops project for Washburn School. Members are asked to continue supporting this educational program for the elementary students by leaving their boxtops and labels in the appropriate box in the narthex. A big thank you to Terri! Also, don’t forget to let us know if your email address changes. Email the above address to change your email for the eBeacon and let our secretary, Joan, know so that our church mailing list can be kept up to date. We also have the ability to update our online directory, so keep us posted. Each month, I get 3-4 bounces when I send out the eBeacon. 4 in the 2016 Holy Land Tour 2) a. b. MISSION STATEMENT: The United Methodist Church of Auburn is an intergenerational Christian Community whose mission is to embody Christ’s love through a commitment to serve God by fulfilling the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our congregation and of our local and global communities 3) a. In case you wanted to know………. On November 8th, over twenty UMC Auburn church goers attended a church retreat that focused on “Aligning our Sense of God’s Purpose for Auburn UMC.” At this retreat, several priorities were set for the next few years that would help serve as a plumb line for our programs and future ministry. Below are some of those priorities along with some action steps that we have recently taken or that you may see in the near future. We hope that you will join with us in trialing some of these new ideas and please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns. b. Claire Cote, Church Council Chair c. i. ii. iii. iv. 4) a. b. PRIORITIES FOR 2015 1) a. b. c. d. Expand the spiritual formation experiences in the worship service and beyond: Explore use of times of silence in worship Offer church goers the opportunity to light a candle for someone in need Engage church goers in reading suggested books that are discussed during a future sermon Encourage church goers to participate Expand the spiritual growth and development of church leaders: Begin each church committee meeting using bible verses with brief discussion Conduct training sessions/coaching sessions for church leaders on how to encourage spiritual growth within their committees Expand the number of church goers involved in small group ministry: Complete an assessment of the number of church goers involved in a committee or small group associated with the church Offer additional small group options, such as: The Growing Gardener Create a book club Create Regional Cottage Meetings (e.g. Turner, Poland, Minot, Auburn, Lewiston, etc.) Offer a “Seekers Seminar” Series Expand our Outreach efforts to visitors, groups who use the church building and the community Consider arranging a dinner for parents of preschool children Encourage all church goers to wear name badges during Church Services Encourage all regular church goers to intentionally connect with visitors during/after the worship service Attendees at Church Retreat: Sharon McGilvery, Kay Little, Claire Cote, Cherie Downing, Maynard Chapman, Gladys Chapman, Barbara Jamrog, Savannah Cummings, Pastor Jackie, Donna Manson, Ruth Southworth, Wanda Sprague, Joel Irish, Janet Irish, Logan Morin, Lucille Webber, Joel Ellis, Edith Ellis, Scott Eflund, Elizabeth Meid, Marissa Deku, Dana Coffin, Kary Coffin, Beth Woodhead, Pam MacDonald 5 Help for Beth Beth Woodhead was recently hospitalized with Guillain-Barre syndrome, and is now in rehab at Marshwood Center in Lewiston. To help Beth with expenses, we are putting on a Rock-a-thon the morning of Sunday, June 7th. The children will take pledges and rock in rocking chairs to raise money for Ms. Beth, a teacher for 3rd to 5th grade Sunday school class. Vacation Bible School’s ‘G-Force’ God’s Love in Action. We hope you can be there with the children for this important event. July 20th thru July 24th Kindergarten through Grade 4 Service Squad – Grades 5-12 Many Thanks!! This is a fun filled week of activities such as: singing, making crafts, outdoor activities, snack time, mission projects, hands-on science, Bible lesson, fun assembly time, and meeting Checkers the Cheetah Puppet. Thank you to the SPRC and the Gleason's for a wonderful staff appreciation dinner on the 26th of April. What a great way to be in fellowship together! The meal was divine and the conversation and singing quite lively! It was a wonderful night of fun and frivolity. Let's do it again!! We need children to enroll in our week of fun activities, and adults to lead in many capacities. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients.... Please call Gladys at 998-5331 as soon as possible if you are willing to help in a multitude of ways. There’s a job for each and every one of you. Help us out by volunteering early! Meagan Cossey and Daphne Ellis. Meagan will be awarded the Bill Hackett Scholarship and Daphne will receive the Wentworth Scholarship. We are very proud of both of these outstanding young ladies and wish them the very best with their future endeavors. Your church family is always here for you. You can pick up a registration form at the church office from 9:00 a.m. – Noon. Mechuwana The Education committee has funds to put toward camp. Please let us know if you are interested. This is the time to be signing up for the summer programs. Contact Kay Little or Cherie Downing. † 6 CONGRATULATIONS to our GRADUATES: Anthony Blasi Meagan Cossey Daphne Ellis May God bless your prayers with faith, your dreams with hope and all your days with His love . You set a goal. Achieved it. Now it is time to Pat yourself on the back and say, "Job Well Done!" WHAT IS A DAD? A Dad is a person Who is loving and kind And often he knows what you have on your mind. He's someone who listens, suggests and defends. A Dad can be one of your very best friends; He's proud of you triumphs; but when things go wrong a Dad can be patient and helpful and strong. In all that you do; a Dad's love plays apart. There's always a place for him deep in your heart. In each year that passes, you're even more glad, more grateful and proud just to call him YOUR DAD! Thank you To all the Sunday School children that served as acolytes, collected Trinity Milk money, helped on the first Sunday of the month with Youth Sunday sang in the choir , took part in the Christmas Pageant, worked on the bean suppers. Your willingness to serve is appreciated. Thinking Ahead Saturday , September 19th will be our second Safety Fair. Over the summer we will be contacting organizations and people to take part. If you have any suggestions please speak to Cherie or Kay. The more displays we have the better the event. Have a safe and enjoyable summer with family and friends. Rest, relax and re-energize. Thank you to all who have helped me with Sunday School and have supported us in whatever we do. It takes the whole church to create a successful Sunday School program. Happy Father's Day! June has arrived and with that the school year and Sunday School will soon be coming to an end. We have had a busy Sunday School year with lots of successful projects. Our year long offering went to Hope School along with our Lenten offering and we have a very nice check for Pastor Jackie to take to the school. I am very proud of all the children for doing such a good job. I hope that a safe and happy summer is enjoyed by all and that I will see many of our children at Vacation Bible School. 7 Church Calender Tuesday, June 9th 6:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 1606 6:00 p.m. Park Avenue Pickers Wednesday, June 10th 7:15 a.m. Rotary Breakfast 6:00 p.m. Wesleyan Singers 6:00 p.m. Serenity Group 6:30 p.m. Private Men’s Group June 2015 Sunday: 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:15 am 10:00 am 11:15 am W orship Service W esleyan Singers Pastor’s Prayer Circle Worship and Sunday School Coffee and Conversation Thursday, June 11th 10:00 a.m. Faith Journey 11:30 a.m. Outreach Committee 6:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 121 Friday, June 12th 5:45 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 111 Monday, June 1st – Joan Off 5:30 p.m. Solutions Group 6:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 178 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:00 p.m. Serenity Group 7:30 p.m. AA/Alanon Saturday, June 13th 5:00 p.m. Benefit Dinner and Auction Sunday, June 14th 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:00 a.m. Wesleyan Singers 9:15 a.m. Prayer Circle 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Finance Committee 11:30 a.m. The God We Can Know Bible Study 2:00 p.m. Private Party 6:00 p.m. Private Men’s Group Tuesday, June 2nd – Joan Off 2:00 p.m. UMW Executive Committee 6:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 1606 7:00 p.m. Old Carriage Condo Assoc. Wednesday, June 3rd 7:15 a.m. Rotary Breakfast 5:15 p.m. River Valley Girl Scouts 6:00 p.m. Private Men’s Group 6:00 p.m. Wesleyan Singers 6:00 p.m. Serenity 2 Group Monday, June 15th 5:30 p.m. Solutions Group 6:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 178 7:00 p.m. Serenity Group 7:30 p.m. AA/Alanon Thursday, June 4th 8:00 a.m. Faith Journey Bus Trip 6:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 121 7:00 p.m. Church Council Tuesday, June 16th 6:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 1606 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 111 Committee Friday, June 5th 5:30 p.m. Confirmand Reunion 5:45 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 111 Wednesday, June 17th 7:15 a.m. Rotary Breakfast 5:30 p.m. River Valley Girl Scouts 6:00 p.m. Serenity Group 2 6:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 121 Committee 6:30 p.m. Private Men’s Group Saturday, June 6th 7:00 a.m. Boy Scout Yard Sale! Sunday, June 7th 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:00 a.m. Wesleyan Singers 9:15 a.m. Prayer Circle 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Nurture Committee 11:30 a.m. Private Graduation Party 11:30 a.m. The God We Can Know Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Private Men’s Group Thursday, June 18th 4:00 p.m. Literacy Volunteer Meeting 5:00 p.m. SPRC Committee 7:00 p.m. Trustee Committee Friday, June 19th 5:45 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 111 Monday, June 8th 5:30 p.m. Solutions Group 7:00 p.m. Serenity Group 7:30 p.m. AA/Alanon 8 Saturday, June 20th No Activities Scheduled Sunday, June 21st – Children’s Day 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:00 a.m. Wesleyan Singers 9:15 a.m. Prayer Circle 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Worship Committee 11:30 a.m. Mission Committee 11:30 a.m. The God We Know Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Private Men’s Group June Celebrations! Monday, June 22nd 5:30 p.m. Solutions Group 7:00 p.m. Serenity Group 7:30 p.m. AA/Alanon 1 Amy Young Judy Sargent 2 3 6 7 9 10 Shirley Bennett Carroll Akers Tuesday, June 23rd No Activities Scheduled 11 Wednesday, June 24th 7:15 a.m. Rotary Breakfast 6:00 p.m. Serenity 2 Group 6:30 p.m. Private Men’s Group 12 14 15 18 20 21 22 Thursday, June 25th No Activties Scheduled Friday, June 26th No Activities Scheduled 23 Saturday, June 27th No Activities Scheduled 24 Sunday, June 28th 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:00 a.m. Wesleyan Singers 9:15 a.m. Prayer Circle 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. The God We Know Bible Study 25 Monday, June 29th 5:30 p.m. Solutions Group 7:00 p.m. Serenity Group 7:30 p.m. AA/Alanon 29 30 26 27 28 Tuesday, June 30th No Activities Scheduled Gary and Donna Bain David and Cherri Waters Butch and Cheryl Downing Tom and Pam Snowe Scott Kennison Dick Marshall Erin Conant Kathleen Cormier Tom Snowe Jennifer Campbell Mitch Thomas Betty Young Chelsea Fortier Marilyn Rice Seth Mitchell Madeline Duff Jean Haron Patricia Stone Larry and Ruth Cannon Dan and Darlene St. Hilaire David and Holly Sysko Esther Adams Kristin Humphrey Nicole Pendexter Stephanie Therriault Lindsey Visbaras Maynard Chapman Debbie Bockus Laura Damon Pam Leclair Holly Sysko Joseph Dustin Roy Loux Julia Dillingham Bill and Jan Randall Roy and Ruth Farnsworth Rod and Sue Biddle Paul and Diane Malinski Tim and Sue Jordan Bobby and Jeanie Sasser Dick and Barbara Trafton Dana and Kary Young Coffin Joel and Janet Irish Richard and Jen Feeley Tom and Barbara Pedersen Dick and Jean Marshall Chris and Becky Woodford1 Many Happy Returns of the Day! 9 UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 439 PARK AVENUE AUBURN, MAINE 04210 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID AUBURN, MAINE 04210 PERMIT NO. 9 The United Methodist Church of Auburn is an inter generational Christian Community whose mission is to embody Christ's love through a commitment to serve God by fulfilling the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of our congregation and of our local and global communities. 10
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